Species guide · California
Pacific bluefin tuna fishing in California
Thunnus orientalis, a pelagic species also called bluefin, Pacific northern bluefin tuna and PBF. Listed for the Southern California region. Peak season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands at 59.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Southern California
Peak season, about 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Off season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jun to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.
Research notes, Southern California region
NOAA and California Sea Grant put most catches May through October; a SIO/NOAA diet study found 76 percent of recreationally caught fish taken June-September. Fish come mainly from offshore banks and the Channel Islands. Seasons have widened in recent warm years, and large fish are sometimes taken in November-December (CDFW). Federal and state bag limit is 2 per day with no closed season.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 1
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's pacific bluefin tuna score this hour.
Best window today 5-8 PM (61) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (65) · 9 named spots
Not scored in this forecast: East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island, Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands and Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands.
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 58°F to 72°F, best between 62°F and 68°F.
- Water depth
- 100 to 6000 ft of water.
- Structure
- Bank, pinnacle, bluewater, open water and canyon, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage matters little offshore. Current running over banks and high spots concentrates bait, and fish sit on the warm side of thermal fronts, so SST fronts and bait matter far more than tide.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Pacific bluefin feed on the offshore banks and around the Channel Islands in water of roughly 62 to 68 degrees, anywhere from the surface to about 300 feet. Find breezing or foaming fish or sonar marks, then fly-line sardines on light fluorocarbon, drop a flat-fall or knife jig to the marks, or fly a kite for the larger fish. Night jigging on overnight trips often outfishes the day.
- Methods
- fly-lining live bait, kite fishing, vertical jigging, sinker rigs, casting poppers, trolling
- Lures
- flat-fall jigs, knife jigs, surface irons, stickbaits and poppers, cedar plugs, rubber flying fish on a kite
- Bait
- live sardine, live mackerel, flying fish, squid
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
2 per day
Season: No closed season on file
In addition to the general limit of 20 finfish. Applies to all bluefin possessed, regardless of where taken.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026